Screwdriver?
 

The only real complaint about the BLCrescendo is the little round thing they call a screwdriver to remove the throatplate. It is slippery and unweildy for me to use. I contacted BL and they denied having any complaints and to contact my dealer. I told them that for 4500$, they should have come uo with something better. Ihad already contacted by dealer and she shrugged her shoulders and agreed with me. My husband who does carpentry is making me something better. I just got back from camping in the Upper peninsula again this summer and found a small screwdriver at a craft store that I love in Paradise, MI.

My Brother machine has the same little round thingee and I threw it as far as I could--it is useless. My hands are large and there isn't enough room to even get a hand in the space let alone turn anything. I found a little screwdriver with an offset ratchet handle that works fine for me. Bought a little 1 inch stubby screwdriver from Annie's catalog and it is just about as useless cause I can't get a grip on it to do anything. And if I ever get another machine (not likely) I will be sure there is enough space to get a hand in there to do anything. Live and learn, I guess.

While I don't have that machine I might be able to add a bit. I needed to clean out one of my machines byt standard screwdrivers did not fit. So, I put the machine in my car and went to the neares BIG Ace Hardware and they found the correct screwdrivers. Yes, plural as I needed two different sizes. They even carried the machine to and from my car. They were so nice it was wonderful.

After struggling to remove the throat plate on my Brother, I asked my husband for assistance. Since then, I have had this on "permanent" loan from his collection. It works great - like it was "made" for the job. (It's called a straight bladed offset screwdriver). [ATTACH=CONFIG]490680[/ATTACH]

Cactus Stitchin's screwdriver can probably be found at Harbor Freight.
You should probably send a picture of that one AND whatever your husband comes up with to the manufacturer and say the same things...."For $4500 you'd think...!"

[I am absolutely convinced that that kind of consumer complaint directly to the "main man" (from me 20+ yrs ago) is the main reason the Fiskars rotary you use today will likely NOT cut your thumb off when you close it! :cool:]

Jan in VA

My DH got me a small ratchet screwdriver from Harbor Freight. I think it was $5.00. I love it

Have you ever used jewelers screw drivers. they even work for those tiny little screws in eye glasses. They come in different sizes.

I am liking this idea and going today to see if I can find one.

I use a quarter for removing the screws on the plate and needle of my babylock. The thickness is just right; size big enough to hold onto and small enough to fit under the machine head.

..again...I wonder how many women who sew are involved in the design of sewing machines...bet we can count them on one hand! I am right handed and I wrestle with putting on the walking foot of three of my machines....hold the foot, then try to tightened that screw with left hand...tricky!

FYI, sent another message to BL. They replied that creative notions has a screwdriver that I can order or have my dealer order one that is made for the new destiny machine. Hm, maybe I will email them and ask them to send me one for free.

I want some genius engineer to invent a screwless plate! I can snap my feet on, why can't I somehow snap/latch my plate on? There has GOT to be a way to make that a reality. Even the old school slide-on plate like old Singers have seems like a better solution than screws.

My vintage Viking has a plate that snaps on and off as done my new Janome. They make them and have for years but apparently not all machines have them.

I have the same thing with my BL Elizabeth and with the BLCrescendo....I have lots of screw drivers, but like everyone says [my hands are too large also] it's the angle of the stupid thing. I have found one that works and I don't tighten the screws down, just snug so they are easier to remove.

A thought: Maybe put a piece of that rubberized shelf linner on that 'stupid thing' BL came out with so you will have something to hold on to.......I might have to give it a try........let you know if I have success.

I have the Crescendo sewing machine and agree with Lafpeaches the round thing they call a screw driver is useless. I bought a stubby screw driver hopping that will work better. I avoid change the throat plate and some of the feet because of the hassle.

I purchased a set of four stubby screwdrivers on eBay for $4.99 and they work great. I found them listed with the vintage sewing machines.

I had a penny laying in my tray of wonderful things and grabbed it and it worked very well. Better than that dumb thing BL provides, and cheap too.

I have this exact problem, hoping someone has some suggestions. I usually will quit at this point and wait until I am better natured!

About 10 years ago I found a wonderful man who just opened a car repair shop a few miles from my home. He had a coupon in the local paper (so with the coupon I could get new brakes and an oil change for a good price). When I went in and had the work done, as a gift to new customers he gave me a small screwdriver (had the company name and number on it - you know a promo). Well I still use the shop for my cars and I LOVE my screwdriver, because it works on ALL of my machines. Remember we are quilters, and as quilters we think outside the box!!! Try your auto parts store. This is a small screwdriver, but it has a nice handle a little longer on it (almost like a pen).

That'll have to be something on the wish list, if/when I ever decide to upgrade! Seems like such a no-brainer, I wish they all did this!

Off-set screwdrivers are the best thing since sliced bread.

Boy do I agree. I have a Babylock and absolutely love the machine, until it is time to clean it out. I did that recently and tried 4 different things. The thing that works best is something the dealer told me to do: use a DIME! It is small enough to fit into the screw head and small enough to be able to turn without lifting and repositioning it. It does work but it is still a hassle.

You need the Bernina 440 QE (there may be other models that also have the same feature). You just press a dot on the back right corner of the plate to remove it, then it snaps back into place when you are finished.

I have this same screwdriver. Even though it's grooved for a good grip I wrapped it in the self adhesive sport bandage. Doesn't need much obviously but I get a really good grip when I need to use it. DH laughed til he needed to use it. We have since purchased a couple more and wrapped them. ALso with the bandage it doesn't slide.

Wow! Here I thought I was the only one that could not use that ridiculous little screwdriver. I agree it's useless. Curious to know how you were able to get in touch with anyone from BL. When I tried was told by my dealer that there wasn't a main office....that my machine could have been made in any of a number of countries. Tried to get it serviced by another quilt shop when I had a problem and was told I had to go back to the dealer I purchased my machine from. Anyone else heard that?

Good for you! It does work. My sister is the one that got Hersey's to make their cocoa cans short and fat instead of tall and skinny. (We are sure of it.) I told the cereal manufacturers that they need a way to close the top of their box after it has been opened. I got a letter back saying that it couldn't be done. Something about the machinery needs to be changed. Then lo and behold, just a short time later, their boxes had tabs on them that will close after you use some of it.
Way to go, Jan.

I have a Laura Ashley brother. I use a dime to start the screws on the plate. Diane C

Sorry, but I love the little round screwdriver. Works great on my machine (so far anyway), but I can relate.

I think that was great for hubby to let you keep it. I'll have to try to find one for myself. I have 2 screwdrivers that came with one of my sewing machines, but I "borrowed" a regular and star screw driver from DH and he hasn't noticed yet (several years have passed-I think he thinks one of the kids took them - LOL).

I use a dime for my brother machine, I always say it is the best and cheapest tool to get the plate off.

My Janome Horizon has this also. Such a great time saver!

I have a babylock Grace. I HATE my round stubby screwdriver.

It has a hole in the middle, right where you need to be able to grip it. But if you grip an edge, you're off center & the blade slips out of the slot.

stupidest thing...

I have such a hard time with my Brother. The screws were in so tight I thought I would never get them to turn and with that little excuse of a screw driver it had it just wouldn't work. With RA in my hands I was at a loss as what to do. I finally used a dime and needle nosed pliers and got them loose. I am going to Low's and see what I can find there. You would think that the price they get for those machines they could at least provide a good screw driver.

Don't you love ACE! I've never carried a sewing machine in, but I have gone in with some "I've got a hair brained idea and need something that will.........." and so far, they've always come up with a suitable solution. They do think about snickering sometimes, but they save it until I'm outside!

The plate under the foot (CRS!) on mine is NEVER screwed down tight any more. I finger tighten as best I can and let it go. It doesn't really have an stress on it, so almost loose works well.

I went to BL web site and went to bottom where it says "contact". They promptly sent replies to each one. Today I sent another one and suggested they look on forums from owners thoughts about the screwdriver and hinted that they could send a proper screwdriver that they suggested. Most products have a 1 800 # for complaints which I have used and got free coupons in the past. Now its easier to send a email. My dealer sells bl and bernina but will fix any machine and is has always been helpful until the screwdriver issue. Theother shop in town sells vikings and was rude to me and very rude to a friend that bought a high end machine from him.

Wow. Rep from BL just called me and wrote down my complaint and said she is giving it Charlie their QA.

I have a Viking and to change the needle treader I had to buy a $10. set of screw drivers to get one that fit the part. the threader was $6

Cacus Stitchin -This is just what would be perfect.